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Monday, 14 November 2016

Rivers government pledges continued support for Rivers Hoopers

*Sports Commissioner promises branded bus for the team

The Rivers State government has reiterated its support to the state's owned basketball team, Rivers Hoopers Basketball Club.

The state's Commissioner for Sports, Hon Boma Iyaye disclosed this during an interactive session with the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Rivers State Chapter at the Sports Secretariat in Port Harcourt.

Iyaye commended the team for their impressive performance in the 2015/2016 DSTV Basketball League where the team finished third behind Nigeria Customs and Kano Pillars.

”For Rivers Hoopers they have done very well. They are a team that was hurriedly put together this season and finished third in the DSTV Basketball League.

"We hope that the recruitment we are planning to do will ensure they play on the continent at the end of next season.” Iyaye enthused.

The Port Harcourt based side travelled for their away games through public transport all through last season which they said was quite expensive and stressful. But one way the club believe would ease this stress is for the state government to provide a branded Coaster bus to the team.

Iyaye subsequently promised to provide a bus for the team before the new season kicks off in few months.

“They were a private company before the state government took them over barely one year. I plead with them to allow us make arrangement for them we will do it for them there is no way they will be travelling in a public transport. We will look for a way out for them and arrange a bus." he said.

The Sports Commissioner said there will be no discrimination in the way the government will deal with the football teams (Rivers United and Rivers Angels) and Rivers Hoopers Basketball Club.

"The bus (we will get for them) will serve as a brand for the team. We will ensure that the same support we give to the other teams is the same support we will give to them (Rivers Hoopers).” Iyaye pledged.